The United States, meanwhile, is sending strong signals of a soon-coming military strike against Syria, in response to a chemical attack that rebel forces say was initiated by President Bashar Assad. The attack outside Damascus at a rebel stronghold left hundreds dead, including women and children, various media reported.

The head of Israel’s postal service — the agency that oversees gas-mask distribution — said demand has tripled over the past week. Maya Ayishai said roughly 5 million Israelis, or 60 percent of the country’s population, now own gas masks, AP reported.